Friday, May 29, 2015

Unearthed: Cameron Highlands

An assignment I am volunteering for now requires me to travel around Malaysia. No bag, no vehicle, no itinerary. Only photos of places needed. Some are foreign, which prompt a new visualisation board. Some evoke a need to revisit the albums in the computer.

The old albums in the old computer, I must state. Imagine the fulfillment of a paleontologist upon excavating a set of beautifully preserved dinosaur fossils. I am that paleontologist at the moment.

Here is one of the albums which I would love to share. A spontaneous trip to Cameron Highlands, Pahang after Kamal, Lisa, Joey, Khalish and I visited Ayoh and Mok in Ketereh, Kelantan. Circa 2013.

With no plan, the five of us stopped to smell the flowers where our hearts bloomed along: Cameron Lavender Garden. Yes, lavender was the main attraction, yet, there were a lot to experience. I chose to photograph.

So did Kamal. He even posted a photo of a flower on his Instagram. After a long hiatus. A friend teased him with the name 'Mat Bunga'. Hey, to not be one while surrounded by such a sight was impossible ;)

Lisa, Joey, and Khalish had a delightful time at the strawberry farm. They must have wished that the mamarazzo was away though. The reason I focused on other subjects, including an actor who was there for a drama.

Kamal Adli's Assistant: Let me take a photo of you and him together.
Me: Oh, no, thank you. I am not a fan. I snapped a photo of him for my friend.

*Laughter*

The truth was, Kamal Adli's acting has always been admirable. So much so, I became a fan. Nonetheless, I declined to be photographed with him because I was, let me be brutally honest, a mess. One of the disadvantages of spontaneity, my friends.

I did have a photo with Khalish. A memento. Too messy to post here. Love the rest of the mementos nevertheless.

Before continuing our journey back to the Klang Valley, Kamal suggested a stop by The Smokehouse. Its unique façade and multicoloured yard charmed us. Seeing the flowers, I immediately thought of my mother.

The food and beverage were sumptuous. My favourite, the scones with homemade strawberry preserve and cream. Perfect with a pot of tea.

Kamal and I always dream about places between Bandar Baru Bangi and Ketereh. About the likelihood of a vacation. About the people whom we share the joy with.